A driver assistance module is designed to be fixed on an automobile steering wheel. The driver assistance module includes a first driver information device and an infrared radiation source arranged to illuminate the driver and forming part of a second information device.

A display device configured to show an image inside an instrument panel for a vehicle includes: a light source configured to emit light; and a light guide element configured to guide incident light from the light source. The light guide element includes: an emission surface configured to output incident light; and a plurality of light focusing portions configured to change the path of the incident light toward the emission surface, causing the light output to converge toward a convergence point or convergence line outside the light guide element or to radiate from a convergence point or convergence line outside the light guide element and thereby form an image outside the light guide element. The light guide element is configured to form light to thereby present an image.

A lighting device for illuminating the vehicle interior of a motor vehicle is provided. The motor vehicle includes a plurality of light sources for illuminating the vehicle interior and a control device that can be used to actuate the plurality of light sources independently of one another. The motor vehicle further has an operator control device connected to the control device and includes segments and operator control elements that can be used to actuate the light sources independently of one another by a user. A display unit displays at least a partial image of the vehicle interior that can be illuminated or is illuminated by the controllable light sources.

An illuminated pointer cap for an vehicle instrument panel outputs different colors from a white light source by directing the white light through different color filters. The white light is transmitted through a light-conductive substrate and reflected to the color filters by triangular-shaped undercuts formed in one side of the substrate that is opposite the color filters.

Steering wheel assembly intended for being built into a vehicle dashboard and including a steering wheel and a mounting element which is stationary relative to the dashboard and the steering wheel being movable in rotation with respect to the dashboard. The steering wheel includes a plurality of light-emitting sources spaced apart so that at least one of the light sources cannot be concealed by a hand or by a portion of a hand of a driver of the vehicle. The steering wheel assembly includes a first plurality of sensors capable of picking up the light emitted by at least one light-emitting source, the light-emitting sources and the sensors being configured to form a continuous communication channel between the steering wheel and an instrument panel mounted on the dashboard.

A gauge assembly includes a gauge surface including at least one graphic, which may be a plurality of graphics defining a scale in a generally circular pattern on the gauge surface. The gauge surface has a viewable side. A light guide has a main body portion disposed adjacent to the gauge surface and corresponding to the shape of the gauge surface. The light guide has a plurality of raised tick marks extending from the main body portion. Each tick mark is viewable via a viewing side of the gauge surface. The light guide includes ends that curve away from the gauge surface to receive light. The light guide is configured to provide illumination to the illuminable graphic(s) and the plurality of tick marks.

An illumination assembly for a vehicle is provided herein. The illumination assembly may employ a projection assembly that may be disposed within a housing extending from a portion of a vehicle. A window is disposed on the vehicle and may be optically coupled with the projection assembly. A luminescent structure may be disposed within the window and is excited by the projection assembly. A controller may be configured to activate the projection assembly to selectively illuminate indicia on the window.

A lighting device is provided for controlling the photometric distribution of light emitted by two or more LEDs. The lighting device may be integrated with a control system of the vehicle and may be controlled by a remote controller. The lighting device may be capable of being operated in one or more modes of operation based on operating conditions, user input, or both. Operating conditions may include vehicle conditions, environmental conditions, and user conditions. The controller may operate a software application to enable the user to modify, control, or otherwise regulate any mode of operation or other feature of the lighting system.

A device for a vehicle for displaying at least one symbol has a translucent plastic layer with a non-translucent coating, wherein a symbol face for a symbol to be displayed by the device is recessed from the non-translucent coating. Furthermore, the device has a non-translucent intermediate component, which is applied outside the symbol face and surrounding the symbol face on the non-translucent coating and which forms a light shaft adjoining the symbol face. Furthermore, the device has a diffuser element, which is arranged and designed inside the light shaft and spaced apart from the symbol face by a gap in order to convert light penetrating the diffuser element to diffuse light for illuminating the symbol face.

An age of an operator of a vehicle and a light condition in the vehicle are determined. A pattern for display is selected based on the determined age of the operator of the vehicle and the light condition in the vehicle. The pattern is presented on the display on the display. Then the display is adjusted based on input from the vehicle operator in response to the pattern.